Busselton runs on well between horses© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien's Busselton came from an unpromising position to get up in the rated novice chase that got Punchestown's eight-race card under way.
As racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon alluded to, the 13/8 favourite ran in snatches over this extended two miles three trip.
He looked cooked when hard ridden after three out as the front pair of Indiana Jones and Frontal Assault moved away from him.
JJ Slevin didn't stop asking him for more, though, and to be fair to Busselton he found more racing to the next.
He made steady headway on the inner approaching the last and wasn't done any favours when the leader wandered and cut across him in jumping it.
Indiana Jones wasn't fluent and Slevin soon switched Busselton to deliver his challenge between the leader and Frontal Assault.
The four-year-old gelding gamely ran on to lead close home. He obliged by three parts of a length to main market rival Indiana Jones. Frontal Assault showed plenty in a close third.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell: “He's a hardy little bugger, he's tough as nails. JJ said he was flat out all the way, he'll probably end up staying three miles one day but he's only a four-year-old.
“He's a very genuine horse, he had no room at the last and the other horse didn't make it easy for him there.
“He's picked up and he's galloped home. We'll see where he goes from here but that's three he's won now over fences so you can't ask for any more.
“People say he's off the bridle all the time but it's only because he's not very quick. We saw that at Cheltenham last year, when he went over there he was flat to the boards the whole time.
“It's nice to get his head in front again.”
The Stewards enquired into an incident on the approach to and over the last fence involving Indiana Jones (FR), ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, placed second and Busselton (FR), ridden by J.J. Slevin, placed first, where it appeared Busselton ran short of room and had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D. J. O'Keeffe stated that his mount drifted right and he was not aware there was a horse on his inner. J. J. Slevin stated that he momentarily ran short of room but it did not cost him anything. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D. J. O'Keeffe was in breach of rule 214, in that he had ridden improperly. Having considered his record in this regard the Stewards suspended D. J. O'Keeffe for three racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
